Why codes persist

Camps implement dress codes and restrictions for many reasons, varying from religious and moral beliefs to camper safety and environmental factors.

The camps that don't have a dress code in place for their campers usually have one implemented for their staff. Camps usually rely on the counselors' clothing to set a good example to the campers about appropriate dress.

The most common thing that has been given the boot from camp officials: Skimpy bathing suits.

"We are against things that are deemed inappropriate," says John Carlson, executive director at Camp Copneconic in Fenton Township. "We don't allow our staff to wear bikinis, just so we're role modeling a little more conservatively. Same thing goes for campers."

Bigger lessons

Instead of setting a specific dress code, some camps just suggest guidelines on the way campers should dress – not only at camp, but also in life.

"We live in a culture that doesn't have a lot of discipline, and discipline has to be taught. We try to provide guidelines instead of mandates for our campers," says John Grenfell, director at Simpson Park Camp in Bruce Township. "We ask our campers to look seriously into maintaining respectful modest dress even after they've left camp."

Although the results also only represent a small number of the roughly 2,400 accredited ACA camps, the survey shows the strong number of sleep-away camps that recognize the original meaning of camp.

"It's hard for them to understand the true value of camp," adds Carlson, "Which is to experience a simpler, more relationship-oriented life."